Gauja National Park.

Section 7. Cēsis - Caunītes.

The beginning of the section features grey alder stands on the banks of the Gauja River, as well as pine and birch forests at the high points of the banks. Past Rāmnieki Bridge, the trail mostly leads through sparse and dry pine forests. Plant and animal species living in such forests are particularly adapted to nutrient-poor life and would not be able to survive elsewhere. These include the sand lizard, the spreading Pasqueflower, clubmoss and various lichens. The existence of dry forests is particularly endangered as forest soil is gradually becoming more fertile. As a result, unusual plants appear in the forest, and the forest gradually overgrows with thick spruce trees.